LaWanda Page

Biography

LaWanda Page (born Alberta Richmond; October 19, 1920 – September 14, 2002) was an American actress, comedian, and dancer whose career spanned six decades. Crowned "The Queen of Comedy" or "The Black Queen of Comedy", Page melded blue humor, signifyin', and observational comedy to jokes about sexuality, race relations, African-American culture, and religion. She released five solo albums, including the 1977 gold-selling Watch It, Sucker!. She also collaborated on two albums with comedy group Skillet, Leroy & Co. As an actress, Page is best known for portraying the Bible-toting and sharp-tongued "Aunt" Esther Anderson in the popular television sitcom Sanford and Son, which originally aired from 1972 until 1977. Page later reprised this role in the short-lived television shows Sanford Arms (1976–1977) and Sanford (1980–1981). She also co-starred in the 1979 short-lived series Detective School. Throughout her career, Page advocated for fair pay and equal opportunities for Black performers.

Movies & TV Shows

1. Friday (1995) — Old Lady
2. Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996) — Old School's Mom
3. Family Matters (1989) — Elmerita Puckerwood
4. Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
5. My Blue Heaven (1990) — Hotel Maid
6. Amazing Stories (1985) — Aunt Esther
7. Starsky & Hutch (1975) — Lady Bessie
8. The Meteor Man (1993) — Old Nurse
9. The Love Boat (1977) — Stella Marshall
10. Zapped! (1982) — Mrs. Jones
11. CB4 (1993) — Grandma
12. Martin (1992) — Evelyn Porter
13. Sanford and Son (1972) — Aunt Esther Anderson
14. Shakes the Clown (1991) — Female Clown Barfly
15. Mausoleum (1983) — Elsie
16. Dream On (1990) — Eddie's Grandmother
17. 227 (1985)
18. Talkin' Dirty After Dark (1991) — Angel / Devil
19. The Richard Pryor Show (1977)
20. The Parent 'Hood (1995)
21. The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1973) — Self
22. Good-bye Cruel World (1982) — Wilma
23. The Richard Pryor Special? (1977) — Sister Mabel Williams
24. Sanford (1980) — Esther Anderson
25. Dinah! (1974) — Self
26. Brothers and Sisters (1979) — Hattie
27. Sanford Arms (1977) — Aunt Esther Anderson
28. B.A.D. Cats (1980)
29. Detective School (1979)
30. The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder (1994) — Self
31. Stonestreet: Who Killed the Centerfold Model? (1977) — Erna
32. Good Evening Captain (1981) — Self
33. The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour (1977)
34. Women Tell the Dirtiest Jokes (1985)